Swan keeps knocking on people’s doors
And other stories from the stranger side of life
 
A swan is terrorising residents of Northampton by continually knocking on their doors. “It rattles the letterbox with its beak and stands in front of the glass,” said one local. “He starts by rattling the letterbox then bashes the metal with its beak quite loudly. The racket reverberates through the whole house. Sometimes it does it for three hours at a time.”
Boss pays ex-worker in pennies
A man has accused his former employer of being “childish” after he received his final payment of $915 in pennies. Andreas Flaten discovered the 90,000 coins at the bottom of his driveway, along with a final payslip and a parting message from the car workshop where he worked. The coins were covered in a greasy substance and Flaten is gradually cleaning them so he can bank them.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Boy finds lost ring in lake
A nine-year-old boy has found a wedding ring a man lost eight months ago in a lake in Clevedon, near Bristol. Andy Mitchard discovered the ring had come off after paddleboarding with his family in June. It was discovered by a volunteer, called Caspar Clarke, who had signed up to search the silt during a regular draining. After his mother posted a photo on Facebook of Caspar holding the ring, it was reunited with Andy.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
 
Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books. 
- 
 Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmands Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmandsFeature An endless selection of Mexican spirits, a Dublin-inspired bar, and an upscale Baltimore pub 
- 
 Argentinian beef is at the center of American farmers’ woes Argentinian beef is at the center of American farmers’ woesThe Explainer ‘It feels like a slap in the face to rural America,’ said one farmer 
- 
 ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’ ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day 
- 
 Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime minister Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party 
- 
 Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training 
- 
 Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users 
- 
 A private zoo run by Asia's richest family is facing criticism and investigations A private zoo run by Asia's richest family is facing criticism and investigationsUnder the radar The zoo is owned by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia's richest person 
- 
 China is silently expanding its influence in American cities China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted 
- 
 Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieve Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieveIN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters 
- 
 How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish 
- 
 One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again? One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024